Locking device for window screens



M y 1932- J. T. DAWlCKl, JR 1,858,937

I LOCKING DEVICE FOR WINDOW SCREENS Filed July 6, 1931 &

2 imm sillll l atented May 1 7, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH 'I. DAWIGKI, JR., OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY LOCKING DEVICE FOR WINDOW SCREENS f Application filed July 6, 1931. Serial no. 548,924.

My invention relates to improvements in latches especially adapted for window screens and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a latching device which may be readily applied to the conventional window screen and willsecurely lock the screen against opening from the outside.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in use and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of the latching device in locking position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of the same,

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on lines 33 of Fig. 2, and,

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on lines 1-4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose 1 of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 denotes an elongated casing adapted to be secured to the jamb 6 of the window frame, by means of screw fasteners 7. The locking mechanism is disposed within the casing and consists of a round keeper 8, the ends of which are connected to rods 9 and 10, extending longitudinally of the casing and protruding through apertures in the top and bottom walls of the casing. A coil spring 11 is mounted on the rod 10 between the bottom of the casing and the keeper and normally urges the keeper upwardly into locking position. A coil spring 12 is mounted on the rod 9 between the top of the casing and the pin 18 extending transversely through the rod and acts to resist the upward movement of the keeper. A knob 14. is fixed on the upper end of the rod 9, by means of which the rod is depressed to movethe keeper against the tension of the spring 11, to an inoperative position. A spring strip 15- has one end attached to the top of the casing, as at 16, and extends downwardly to a point below the upper end of the keeper, when the latter is in an operative position. Upon depressing the keeper to its inoperative position, the spring strip 15, by reason of its resiliency swingsto a position, so that its lower end engages the upper end of the keeper, holding it in its inoperative position.

Thelatch arm 17 is of rectangular shape in cross section having spaced cars 18 at its lowerend to receive'the pintle pin 19 which has one end mounted in the bracket 20 and its opposite end mounted in the base plate 21 which is attached to the frame 22 of the'win dow screen by screws 23. The bracket 20 is attachedto the base plate by screws 24; and mounted on the pintle pin19 between the ears 18 is a coil spring 25 which'normally swings the latch arm away from the casing. The upper end of the latch arm 17 is bent at right angles, as at 26, in a direction towards .the casing and is adapted to enter the opening 27v formed in the front wall of the casing 5. The free end of the latch arm is provided with a slot 28 communicating with an opening29, the slot being of such width asto per-' mit the rod 9 to pass therethrough when the latch arm enters the casing and the diameter of the opening 29 is slightly greater than the diameter of the keeper 8, to receive the keeper when pressed upwardly by the spring 11.

In operation, the casing 5 is attached to the j amb of the window frame and the latch arm 17 isattached to the frame of the screen, so that when the window screen is closed the latch arm will be in position'to engage the casing. To look the screen in its closed position, the latch arm 17 is swung towards the casing, so that its angular end.26.entersthe opening 27 in the casing. The end 26 upon entering the casing engages the spring strip 15, forcing. it from engagement with the upper end of the keeper 8 and upon release of the keeper, it is forced upwardly by the expansion spring 11; into engagement with the opening 29 in thefend 26, securing the latch arm in locking position. To release the latch arm, the rod 9 is depressed by pressing the knob 14 downwardly, moving the keeper from engagement with the opening 29, and through action of the spring 25 the latch arm 17 will automatically swing to an open position and the spring strip 15 will return to its position in engagement with the upper end of the keeper.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts -may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined' claims. p

I Having thus described my invention, I claim I I 1. A latching device of the character described comprising a slidably mounted keeper, expansion means for moving's'aid keeper to a locking position, means for moving said keeper to a non-locking position, releasable means for holding said keeper in a non-locking position, and a latch'arm having a bifurcated end movable into alinement with said keeper, the movement of said latch arm actuating said releasable means to release said keeper, whereby the keeper is moved into locking engagement with the bifurcation in the end of the latch arm by said expansion means.

2. A latching'device of the character described. comprising a slidably mounted keeper, expansion means for moving said keeper to'alocking position, means for moving said keeper to anon-locking position, a spring armengageable with the end of said keeper, to releasably hold said keeper in a 'non-locking position, and a latch arm having a b-ifurcated end movable into alinement/with saidkeepenthe movement of said latch arm actuating said spring arm to release said keeper, whereby the keeper is moved into lockin g "engagement with the bifurcation in the end-of the latch arm by said expansion means.

'3. A'lat'ching device of the character described, comprising a slidably mounted keeper, expansionmea'ns for moving said keeper to alocking position, a rod extending from the end of said keeper, for moving said keeper to a non-locking position, spring means releasably engaging the end of said keeper, when the keeper is moved to a non-locking position, and a latch arm having a bifurcated end movable into alinement with said keeper, the rear end of said bifurcation being large enough to receive said keeper, while the'forwar'd end is only large enough to pass said-rod, said spring means being actuated bythee'nd'ofsaid latch arm 'to release said keeper whereby the keeper is moved intoloc'kzposi't'iema lateh having a bifurcated end,

said bifurcation having its rear end wide enough to receive said keeper and its forward end restricted and spring means for moving said lat'c'harm to bring the rear end of said bifurcation in ;alinemen t with said keeper, the movement of said latch arm actuating said spring means to release'saidkeeper, whereby the keeper is *moved into locking engagement with said latch arm by said-expansion means. V V a I A I JOSEPH T. DAWIOKI, JR. 

